LaMarr Woodley sees Raiders as playoff team
LaMarr Woodley played in two Super Bowls with the Steelers. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The Oakland Raiders were among the NFL's most active teams in free agency this offseason. One of those free agent additions, former Steelers pass rusher LaMarr Woodley, expects the infusion of talent to earn the Raiders a winning record and postseason berth for the first time in 11 seasons.
The Raiders hope to turn around last year's 4-12 finish with an influx of former Pro Bowlers, including running back Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville), cornerback Carlos Rogers (San Francisco) and defensive end Justin Tuck (New York), plus wide receiver James Jones (Green Bay) and new quarterback Matt Schaub via a trade with the Texans.
Woodley knows something about the postseason, having enjoyed four playoff appearances, two Super Bowl appearances and a world championship in his seven seasons with the Steelers.
He sees an opportunity for a quick turnaround by a Raiders team which lost six games by 10 points or fewer last season.
"I can definitely see [the Raiders] as a playoff team," Woodley said Tuesday during a radio interview with 95.7 The Game. "Last year, going back and watching some film on the Raiders, there were a lot of opportunities here where they just didn't close it out.
"Some games good in the first half, they just didn't close it out at the end of the game," the pass-rusher told 95.7 The Game. "So now we just have to learn how to close out games, and it'll be more wins than losses."
